After testing many different recipes for homemade laundry soap I can confidently say this one is the best. Join thousands of others who are saving money with this awesome liquid laundry detergent recipe.
DIY Laundry Soap Recipe
If you are sick of spending tons of money on laundry detergents that do a sub-optimal job, we have the solution for you.
Not only is this recipe easy to make and cost effective, but it works better than any store bought brand we’ve tried.
We have used this recipe for ten years, and hundreds of others have as well. Read on for detailed instructions as well as a video tutorial that shows you just how simple this detergent is to make.
Why I Choose Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
I had almost given up on homemade laundry detergent completely, when my good friend Keesha texted me and said she had a recipe and wanted to make it together! I had my doubts, but she told me her mom and her sister had both been using this kind forever and swore by it, so I decided I would give it a go. Holy cow. I am in love with this homemade liquid laundry detergent, it is AMAZING!
Every time I open up the washer to switch loads, I am filled with joy because it smells fresh and clean. It also doesn't leave gross residue, and gets out tough dirt and stains. Suffice it to say, this recipe is gonna shrink your laundry expenses considerably!
*This post contains affiliate links.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients
- Fels-Naptha soap bar
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Essential oils (optional)
- Water
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
1.Start by grating your Fels-Naptha soap bar. Here is what the Fels-naptha soap looked like after grating it. You want to use the smallest grater that you have, so that it melts as quickly and easily as possible!
2. While you are grating your soap start four cups of water boiling.
3.Add your grated Fels-Naptha bar and stir over medium heat until soap is completely melted.
4. Next, fill your five gallon bucket up halfway with hot tap water.
5. Then add your other dry ingredients and stir together.
6. Finally, fill your bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir again.
Homemade Detergent Recipe Label & Storage
Be sure to clearly label your containers so that everyone knows they contain a detergent. Also, if you have young children be sure to keep your laundry detergent in a childproof container or on a high shelf. Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket! I also love this gamma seal lid!
How much DIY Laundry Detergent does this recipe make?
This recipe makes a 5 gallon tub of liquid detergent. You only need ½ cup detergent for top loader machines and ¼ for front loader machines per load! It's easy to see how utilizing homemade laundry detergent can add up to a big savings!
It costs less than $10 to make 5 gallons of this laundry soap (not including the cost of the bucket). Which equals out to 160 ½ cup loads or 320 ¼ cup loads. Either way, there is a massive savings when comparing to store bought laundry detergents, even when they are purchased in bulk quantities.
Shop this Post:
More Cleaning Hacks
More Favorites from Pretty Providence:
If you make this recipe and like it we would love for you to leave us a comment and a positive rating, they mean so much to us!
Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 5 gallon bucket
Materials
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
- 1 cup washing soda
- ½ cup Borax
- essential oils (optional)
- 5 gallon bucket
Instructions
- Heat 4 cups of water until boiling.
- Grate your Fels-Naptha soap bar (I just used a cheese grater) and add to boiling water. Stir continuously over medium low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
- Fill your 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water, add melted soap, washing soda, and borax and stir well until all powder is dissolved.
- Fill the bucket the rest of the way to the top with hot water, stir, cover, and let sit overnight to thicken.
- The next day, stir well and fill an old laundry detergent container with detergent.If desired, add your essential oils at this point! I use Doterra citrus bliss.
Notes
- Shake well before each use, because detergent can separate a bit.
- Top load machines use ½ cup per load, front load machines use ¼ cup per load.
- Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket!
It's SO easy and SO worth it you guys! I can guarantee you're gonna be glad you tried this DIY liquid laundry detergent!
xo,
*This post was originally written September 1, 2014 and has been updated with new photos, video and more detailed text.
Ina
I never imagine that I could make one of this at home! So easy and it turned out great. i also save a lot!
Jem
Glad I saw this. definitely going to save from store bought detergent. Thank you.
Kristyn
Love this!! Laundry detergent is expensive & I love stocking up, so this is perfect!! Thanks for sharing!
Emily
Hello! I was wondering if you think Dr. Bronner's unscented castile bar soap could be used instead of the Fels Naptha bar soap. I can't seem to find an unscented Fels Naptha bar soap and there are fragrances in them that I don't want...I have been searching for months...Thank you!
Jessica
I can't say for certain but I think that should work! Let me know if you try it I would love this info!
Kathy Reynolds
I made this and it did not thicken. What did I do wrong?
Jessica
Did you let it sit overnight?
Karen
Where is the dry ingredients measuments..full recipe would be nice
Sarah
Hey Karen! The measurements are in the full printable recipe section at the bottom of the page.
Brie
Mine turned out really watery. Did I do something wrong?
Jessica
Even after you let it sit over night? It can take a bit to thicken.
Sha
Never thought that this would actually work! It turned out amazing! Highly recommended!
Ashley T
Exactly what I was looking for and so easy to make! I am trying to make more DIY skin and beauty care products and this was amazing.
Ethel
I've tried various DIY laundry soap recipes, and this one is hands down the best! Affordable, effective, and a money-saver.
Grace
After I mixed everything and let it sit overnight, it did thicken but too much so it's almost gel did I use too much of something?
Holly Costantino
Made my first batch. I've been using it for 2 weeks. I love it. My granddaughter is using it also, she really likes it.
.y clothes and towels come out so soft.
Ii do have 1 question ,how much essential oil should I put in? Not sure with 5 gallons.
Thank you for your great recipe
Laura Schuitema
I just made this for the first time,excited to try this tomorrow.
Tiffany
How did it go? Any updates?